BOSTON (CBS) – A seventh grade girl at Boston Latin Academy has died in a suspected case of bacterial meningitis, according to a Boston public health official.

“At this difficult time our hearts ache for the family and friends of this young student,” Mayor Tom Menino said in a statement. “We mourn her loss and join with the Boston Latin Academy in this hour of grief.”

Twelve-year-old Nina Zheng was rushed to a Boston hospital on Friday after she came down with symptoms of the illness.

WBZ-TV’s Diana Perez reports

“Tonight, the entire Boston Public Schools community mourns the loss of one of our students,” Superintendent Carol R. Johnson said in a statement. “We send our most sincere condolences to those who loved her. We have assembled a team of counselors who are ready to work with the Boston Latin Academy community in the difficult days ahead.”

Meningitis is an infection of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord.

Boston school department spokesman Matt Wilder said parents of students were notified during the weekend.

“We made phone calls home to all of our families and teachers at the school on Saturday. It’s a very low risk of transmission, that’s what we know. But we do want to take proper precautions,” he told WBZ NewsRadio 1030 Monday.

Health counselors were at the school Monday to talk with students and faculty.